A Fresno County Superior Court judge issued a formal ruling Wednesday in favor of former Bullard High School teacher and football coach Don Arax in his defamation lawsuit against Fresno Unified Trustee Keshia Thomas and the Fresno Unified School District.
Thursday, October 8, 2026 1:22AM
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FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A Fresno County Superior Court judge issued a formal ruling Wednesday in favor of former Bullard High School teacher and football coach Don Arax in his defamation lawsuit against Fresno Unified Trustee Keshia Thomas and the Fresno Unified School District.
In 2022, Thomas accused Arax of using a racial slur against her son. Arax filed the defamation lawsuit against Thomas and the district, claiming the allegation was false.
In August, Thomas issued a public apology and admitted the allegation was not true.
Wednesday’s ruling strikes down the school district’s defense that Thomas’ accusations were true.
The ruling also eliminates every privilege defense asserted by the district that it claimed was protected under the right to free speech.
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